A new report released by the Future Fuels CRC (FFCRC), titled Advancing Hydrogen: Learning from 19 plans to advance hydrogen from across the globe, has highlighted the worldwide focus and drive towards a hydrogen future.
The report focused on the work of 19 separate hydrogen roadmaps from around the world and looked at how different nations are approaching hydrogen developments.
FFCRC Chief Executive Officer, David Norman, said the aim of the report, authored by a team at the University of Adelaide, was to help understand how nations, regions and industries are thinking about the opportunities and potential for hydrogen.
“This resource aims at helping develop other hydrogen roadmaps and strategies, including Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy,” Mr Norman said.
“There is considerable international interest in rapidly deploying hydrogen technologies in coming decades to reduce carbon emissions.”
Energy Networks Australia, the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) and FFCRC are working with Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, who is leading the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy.
Energy Networks Australia CEO, Andrew Dillon, said most jurisdictions identified injection of hydrogen into gas networks as a key way to decarbonise their energy system.
“Australia’s gas networks are already testing the blending of hydrogen into existing distribution networks as a way to provide clean, efficient energy to heat homes and cook food,” Mr Dillon said.
“As has also been outlined by roadmaps overseas, establishing a domestic hydrogen industry will allow for the development and acceleration of Australia’s hydrogen export industry.”
APGA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Davies, said work like this is essential to unlock the true potential of hydrogen.
“The pace and manner in which the FFCRC has been established and already delivering results is a great start of this partnership between gas infrastructure industries and academia. Future fuels like hydrogen have so much to offer Australia and the research programs of the FFCRC are essential for us to achieve their full potential,” Mr Davies said.
Emissions-free hydrogen gas can be produced from excess renewable energy via electrolysis and stored for later use in the existing network of gas distribution pipes.
The report follows the formative work of Energy Networks Australia and APGA’s Gas Vision 2050, launched in 2017.
